MADISON, WI--(Marketwired - March 23, 2015) - It's nearly the most wonderful time of the year, and we're not talking about decking the halls -- April is National Grilled Cheese Month. While copious amounts of melted cheese are reason enough to get excited, the Grilled Cheese Academy invites cheese lovers everywhere to go for culinary glory and a $15,000 grand prize in the Grilled Cheese Recipe Showdown. The contest is bigger than ever this year, with hundreds of in-store activities across the country and a total of $28,500 in prizes.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the contest runs Wednesday, April 1 through Tuesday, May 12. To enter, trained and home chefs alike must submit an original grilled cheese recipe and photo featuring Wisconsin cheese.

The Grilled Cheese Academy, home to unique sandwiches, is a culinary destination dedicated to grilled cheese deliciousness. For more information on how to enter the contest, visit Grilled Cheese Academy. The contest form will be available on the website on April 1.

A photo of the 2014 Best of Show recipe, The Limburger Leap (recipe below), is attached. For hi-res images and additional information, contact Heather Porter Engwall, hporterengwall@wmmb.org, (608) 203-7235. For more information about Wisconsin cheese, visit EatWisconsinCheese.com.

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board is a nonprofit organization of Wisconsin dairy producers that promotes the consumption of milk, cheese and other dairy products made in America's Dairyland.

The Limburger Leap

By Alyssa Nelson, Courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 batch beer caramelized onions (directions follow)

½ tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed

1 large sweet onion, cut in ¼ inch-thick slices

½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ cup bock beer

4 fully cooked beer brats

3-4 tablespoons butter, softened

8 slices pretzel bread, cut ¾-inch-thick

3 tablespoons whole grain mustard

3 ounces Wisconsin limburger cheese

4 1-ounce slices Wisconsin baby Swiss cheese

Cooking Directions:

In medium-sized skillet, melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat. Add onions and salt; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add beer and reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Remove lid and continue cooking at light simmer until liquid is thickened and mixture is medium to dark golden brown and onions caramelize, about 40 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Butterfly brats lengthwise about 3/4 of the way through and split open so that the brat remains in one piece. In skillet over medium heat, sear brats until each side is golden brown. Set aside.

Butter outside of each slice of bread. Divide mustard and spread on the inside of 4 bread slices. On inside of remaining 4 slices, divide and add limburger. On top of limburger, layer 1/4 of the caramelized onions, a brat and 1 baby Swiss cheese slice; top each sandwich with remaining pieces of bread, mustard-side-down.

Brown sandwiches on preheated griddle pan or in skillet over medium-low heat until each side is golden brown and cheese is melted, flipping once. Once browned, let sandwiches rest about 1 minute. Slice in half before serving.